Objective:
There is growing recognition that labor exploitation of migrant workers has become a problem of global proportions. Human trafficking and other forms of extreme exploitation, including forced labour and forced marriage, now collectively under the umbrella term ‘modern slavery’, are reported to affect an estimated 40.3 million people globally, with 29.4 million considered to be in situations of forced labor.
The purpose of this research program was to make a step change in scale and impact by focusing on robust, empirically driven, and policy- and socially relevant studies, which were aimed at revealing the nature and magnitude of TIP in South Africa.
We envision that evidence-based studies will create a baseline and shed light on the complex characteristics of trafficking and will target the underlying drivers of exploitation.
This research program aims to ensure that data on human trafficking prevalence play a larger role in public policy debates, particularly given the hidden and subversive nature of human trafficking.
Approach:
The research team conducted a landscape review (desk review) of the TIP counter-trafficking policies, practices, research, and available data in 2020. Thereafter, we conducted a number of research studies using mixed-method approaches, including a questionnaire to key stakeholders to collect more recent data and a wider breadth of detail, and a scan of the existing databases held by various South African organizations.
Activities included:
- A thematic analysis of successfully prosecuted TIP cases (sexual, labor, and other types) under both the 2007 Sexual Offences Act 32/2007 and the Act 7/2013 legislation with concomitant interviews with available witnesses in these cases to mine additional insights into indicators of the crime, as well as the magnitude based on witness interactions with other victims and traffickers across multiple locations. View here.
- A report on TIP victim voices, both adults and children. Data was collected through Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with adult victims to capture lived experiences before, during, and after trafficking. These interviews captured vulnerabilities and gaps in services and to identify aspects that need addressing, identify what is working or beneficial, critical aspects, and interventions that could be up scaled A further study included reviewing child victim case files to gather data on their trafficking experiences and response services. A presentation on trafficking of children is available here.
- A final research report on the nature and scope of trafficking in South Africa. Components of the report included a summary of the above reports and the findings from the following studies:
- A comparative analysis of organizational capability of the National Policy Framework (NPF) structures established to manage TIP, which contributed to learning and provided recommendations to strengthen the network;
- Review of the National Action Plan and Prevention and Combatting of Trafficking in Persons Act (PACOTIP) policies alongside the Government of South Africa (GOSA). This review involved stakeholder engagement, KIIs, observing training practice and other aspects of the criminal justice system pertaining to TIP reduction. It also reviewed existing TIP interventions by other development partners to determine existing gaps and opportunities for reforms or to strengthen practice and provided recommendations;
- Analysis of migration as a facet of TIP in South Africa and KII with Department of Labour provincial coordinators;
- Evaluation of the effectiveness of purposefully sampled programs within the National Freedom Network and independent organizations, using a case study methodology contributing to pathways for impact.
- A review of indicators and an emerging theory of change to determine pathways for impact
Impact:
- The Reports and our evidence and policy briefs are publicly available and have been shared widely on social media, and available on the USAID DEc
- The results of the study have been shared at numerous forums to provide an evidence base to inform future strategies, resource mobilization, prioritization and counter-trafficking efforts in South Africa by government, civil society and international organizations.
- This study led to a collaborative follow-on study, the Measures to Countering Trafficking in Persons (MCTIP).